GHS's Nate Paul surpasses 100 wins

January 21, 2004|By Mike Dunn, Sports Editor

GAYLORD - Junior Nate Paul is the latest member of the Gaylord wrestling program to join the elite "Century Club." Paul, a team captain, gained the 100th victory of his prep career on Thursday at Traverse City Central. A 34-second pin over an Alpena grappler put the Blue Devil 112-pounder over the top.

"I was really nervous (before the match)," Paul acknowledged on Monday. "I realized it could be 100 and it was definitely on my mind."

After getting the quick pin, Paul celebrated with teammates. Some of the parents, in anticipation of Paul's milestone victory, brought a banner to Traverse City saluting the junior.

"That made me feel really good," Paul said. "It was quite a coincidence to get it the same night that coach (Jerry LaJoie) got his 200th win. They had banners there for the two of us."

Eighth-ranked Gaylord (29-2) has a big match coming up Thursday at Petoskey. The tough, talented Northmen are considered Gaylord's top rival in the Big North. Not only that, but the two teams will likely face each other in the team districts as well.

Both teams are unbeaten in Big North competition thus far. Still, LaJoie is taking a low-key approach.

"We're treating it like any other dual meet," LaJoie said. "Petoskey's a very good team. They're a well-drilled program and it's always a battle with them. But you don't want to build it up so much that you lose focus."